Coronavirus Hospitalizations Continue Rising In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Amid a flurry of concern about rising coronavirus cases across the state and the nation, Thursday Riverside County health officials reported 370 new infections and 13 recent deaths related to COVID-19.

The countywide COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,396. The total number of coronavirus cases recorded countywide since the public health documentation period began in early March was 78,006 compared to 77,636 on Wednesday, according to the Riverside University Health System.

The number of hospitalizations related to the virus was 362 Thursday, which includes 85 ICU patients. Total hospitalizations rose by 24 since Wednesday. One week ago, coronavirus hospitalizations were reported at 271 by RUHS.

On Thursday California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced a limited Stay at Home Order that generally prohibits non-essential work, gatherings, and movement between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in purple tier counties — including Riverside County.

The order takes effect 10 p.m. Saturday, November 21 and remains in effect through 5 a.m. December 21.

While some might call it a curfew, the order is designed to prevent social gatherings and doesn't prevent members of the same household from leaving their homes after hours.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state's Health and Human Services secretary, said the order is not a hard curfew. He said the idea is to cut off activities and gatherings of people that can promote virus spread. Read more here about the order: How The 'Curfew' Impacts Riverside County Residents: Coronavirus

Also on Thursday, the county, state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Thanksgiving guidance. In general, big gatherings are discouraged as is non-essential holiday travel. Read more: Riverside County, State, CDC Urge Against Big Holiday Gatherings

Health officials say area hospitals are prepared for what appears to be a second-wave surge in cases.

"We are surpassing our previous statewide surge" in July, county Department of Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said during Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. "It's consistent with what's happening in the nation."

She said the county now has a state-adjusted new case rate of 22.4 infections per 100,000 residents and an overall state-calculated positivity rate of 8.9 percent.

On Monday, 28 counties moved into the state's most restrictive purple tier as part of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The move was predicated based on a 50 percent statewide upswing in coronavirus cases, which the governor said is "the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet."

"The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes," he said.

Riverside County was returned to the purple tier last month after four weeks in the less restrictive red tier. The reclassification has impacted offices, gyms, restaurants, theaters, places of worship, zoos and museums.